Discovering Destiny (Part 83): God's Grace Will Make You Excellent
Do all with an excellent spirit.
top of page
Today’s Word with Rick Piña
Discovering Destiny (Part 82): True Integrity Is Never For Sale
Never violate your integrity. Today, we continue our focus on THE YEAR OF DISCOVERY, as we learn to maintain our posture of faith after God has revealed His plans for our future. Yesterday, the queen mother said, "Now let Daniel be called." Today, Daniel walks into the banquet hall, turns down the king's gifts, reads the writing on the wall, and gets promoted on the very night the kingdom falls. Daniel shows us that true integrity is never for sale. Key scriptures for this year: 2 Peter...
Discovering Destiny (Part 81): Your Name Will Come Up In The Right Room
God will bring up your name in the right rooms.
Discovering Destiny (Part 80): It Is Never Too Late To Humble Yourself
Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God.
Discovering Destiny (Part 79): It's Not Too Late To Turn Around
God is giving you another chance. Today, we continue our focus on THE YEAR OF DISCOVERY, as we learn to maintain our posture of faith after God has revealed His plans for our future. Yesterday, three men walked out of the fire promoted. Today, the same king has a dream that troubles him. Key scriptures for this year: 2 Peter 3:18 GNT "But continue to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory now and forever." Luke 10:20 Mirror "It's time for you...
Discovering Destiny (Part 78): You Will Come Out Of The Fire Better Than You Went In
God will bless you through the fire. Today, we continue our focus on THE YEAR OF DISCOVERY, as we learn to maintain our posture of faith after God has revealed His plans for our future. On Friday, the king looked into the furnace and saw a fourth Man in the fire. Today, the king calls them out. Key scriptures for this year: 2 Peter 3:18 GNT "But continue to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory now and forever." Luke 10:20 Mirror "It's time...
rickpina
11K posts
1.7K followers
4.2K following
First-generation American, husband, father, veteran, preacher, & technologist. I love Jesus, my wife, & my country. Proud Mets/Giants/Knicks fan!
![Grace Produces Excellence, Not Laziness.
The Bible does not say Daniel was promoted because of his connections, his age, or his seniority. It says he was distinguished "because an excellent spirit was in him." Daniel's excellence was not just a skill set; it was a spirit. It came from the inside out. That excellent spirit was the grace of God on Daniel's life, showing up in the way he did his job.
How this applies to you:
-- I've told you many times that grace is not a license for laziness; it is an empowerment to prosper and to glorify God.
-- Paul said, "I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me." Grace did not make Paul lazy. Grace made Paul productive.
-- Excellence is not perfectionism. Perfectionism is driven by the fear of failure, but excellence is driven by the grace of God and a desire to honor Him.
-- When God's grace is on your life, you will find yourself producing at a level that surprises even you.
-- Paul said, "Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others." You don't work for the paycheck or for the boss; you work as unto the Lord.
-- Daniel studied the language and literature of Babylon for three years before he ever served the king. God's grace multiplies your preparation; it does not excuse you from it.
-- Excellence attracts favor, because God loves to open doors for people who are ready to walk through them. But just don’t be surprised when that same favor attracts opposition.](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/892812926_18647291455043036_7516092332798262850_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=R289mVVgdM8Q7kNvwH2j1BB&_nc_oc=AdpfWcTFarWIueocxhLQmtnTwv2We1BGMP6EPF0Gx68FBK9XcnTEc5mGjBeuG2iaV3s&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=U8W1Xbqp-OVYlsH53SkPvg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQJESRIGADHXurNPil_5GzxADYS-vheXBkxunQySZqovdCYxBfLsnya9yGZnYRLJFa5pNWekNv9o&oh=00_AQTYtdulYl1u1AygJ3C53V4C0HwPcKoUL2NNpfxUbYfnSA&oe=6AF7BC38)
![Life Takes On Divine Meaning When Your Only Motivation Is God’s Purpose.
Belshazzar offered Daniel the only things he had to offer: money, power, and position. Earlier in his life, Daniel might have been tempted by gifts like that. But Daniel had already served the greatest king on earth, and he had already experienced money, power, and influence. Daniel was already blessed, and he was not moved by the king's offer. He said, "You can keep your gifts for yourself, or you can give them to someone else. But I will still read the writing on the wall."
-- When you have never had something, the mere thought of having it can motivate you to chase it. But when God has blessed you, you stop chasing things, and things start chasing you.
-- Paul said God "richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment." God is okay with you having things, just as long as things don't have you.
-- Jesus said, "Constantly seek God's kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly." Seek Him, and He will see to it that things pursue you.
-- Money makes an excellent servant, but a poor master.
-- If a reward can move you, then a bribe can move you too.
-- Solomon said, "Choose a good reputation over great riches." Your name is worth more than your net worth.
-- The truth has to matter more to you than the money. If you lie to get it, you will have to keep lying to keep it.
-- At some point in your walk with God, your life can't be about money anymore. It has to be about purpose.
-- Daniel turned down the gifts and still did the work, because he was only moved by God and by what God led him to do.
-- God can bless you to the point where the things of this world no longer tempt you. You can get to the point where your only motivation is what you believe God wants you to do. I'm at that point in my life. When you get there, it is truly liberating to know that you're only being led by what you believe God is leading you to do. You're not chasing money. You're not chasing power, positions, titles, or fame. Your life is truly about purpose, and you pursue that purpose by God's grace.](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/886976452_18646244890043036_6342731561470363696_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=Znq1z-0lJtMQ7kNvwFdsPCf&_nc_oc=AdrWjrXuktXU5fDs_YDsXMmiw6qiBguB6UETX-dyZ2Y_5L57GdqhgUrKxltpasEgkVY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=U8W1Xbqp-OVYlsH53SkPvg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQK8b70CbjH_XkQuK-l832hsGEmlmI2bAk0lxQnL0UEDfrW5DpJEkhYX5M9J6qKFVupatxNk1_xr&oh=00_AQQMis_Phvs4lLW8xfrfUDDe0w__PEktFXpu64u2F8FPug&oe=6AF7A3C8)
![You Will Come Out Of The Fire Better Than You Went In.
This is my favorite part of the story. The Bible says, "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon." Think about how they got their first promotion. Daniel asked the king, and God moved. Now look at the second one. Nobody asked. Nobody lobbied. The fire that was supposed to end their careers promoted them. And notice who signed the promotion: the same king who threw them in. The psalmist said, "no one exalts a person but God." God used the king's own furnace to lift them higher. Your fire can become your promotion.
How this applies to you:
-- They went into the fire as officials, and they came out promoted.
-- I have taught you this before: the more satan attacked the Hebrew Boys, the more they were promoted. If the devil knew any better, he would leave you alone!
-- God does not make bad things happen to you, but He can use the bad things and turn them around for your good. Paul said, "all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."
-- Nebuchadnezzar planned to kill them, but God had the final word, and His word was promotion.
-- The psalmist said, "the favor that brings promotion and power doesn't come from anywhere on earth." People can open doors, but only God decides who rises.
-- God planned your destiny before you were born, and every fire you walk through by His grace becomes a testimony that brings Him glory.
-- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went in tied up, walked around free, and came out promoted. If you don't bow, you won't burn! Tomorrow, the same king has a dream that troubles him, and Daniel has to tell him a hard truth with love.](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/886527382_18644899084043036_6569611124382856212_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=me_SmovrvWkQ7kNvwE7KdW1&_nc_oc=Adog2ZexBNmXfxVfCBUEMd7E49ejQJkbpHInpyQ2bAMGe8qSE2YeQvoZySZWBpwI4m8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=U8W1Xbqp-OVYlsH53SkPvg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQL5GvczmpEnXPzI3YSf-zlMZDSYtgXakkQJ1mjMqIcZ4mGN7hzHDtQzdJaTfGyPOaHyqdOl7jzj&oh=00_AQQk_HMYwx6uEF8ibNMv8dqvOYCJdczx-9x3lnAK4RChXg&oe=6AF7A6CF)
bottom of page